Environment Bay of Plenty's sample of an area of exposed black sediment taken from the Matata Lagoon works last month has confirmed positive for dioxin as expected, but the level does not present a direct concern.
The result of the sample, which was collected on October 29, is consistent with pre 2005 dioxin results for the lagoon and based on a health risk assessment, is safe to be exposed.

Environment Bay of Plenty group manager water management Eddie Grogan says the result was expected.
'AsureQuality lab in Wellington reported a total toxic equivalence of 3.91 pg/g for the sample,” says Eddie.
He says the black sediment accidentally exposed recently is not a risk if placed on dry ground but as a precaution, any of the excavated black sediment will be covered by clean soil.
'We will be ensuring that Whakatane District Council, as the consent holder, complies with this and continues to provide a 300mm cover of clean material to any of the exposed pre-2005 sediment,” says Eddie.